PAFURI CAMP is Wilderness Safaris’ new camp between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu Rivers, in a 24,000-hectare concession in the extreme north of Kruger National Park. This area of the Kruger is wild and remote, and one of the park’s biodiversity hotspots. There are large elephant and buffalo herds; leopard, lion and cheetah; the best birding in Kruger; Yellow fever tree forests, groves of Baobabs and beautiful gorges.
This sector of the park was the ancestral home of the Makuleke people, who were evicted when their land was incorporated into Kruger Park in 1969. Although they have now regained title to the land, they have chosen not to move back with their herds, but to develop the area for tourism. Pafuri Camp is a partnership between the Makuleke and Wilderness Safaris.
Luvuvha River Walk, Kruger Park
There is evidence of humans inhabiting this region 1.7 million years ago. Thousands of Stone Age tools have been found at important archaeological sites. There are numerous examples of Iron Age rock art, the creations of the Bantu-speaking pastoralists who moved into the Pafuri area about 2000 years ago.
The Mapungubwe civilisation of the 13th century was part of one the greatest trading networks of the era, trading ivory and gold for items from as far away as China. In the 16th century, there were several walled cities in region and the jewellery, Chinese porcelain and Arab beads found in their burial sites testifies to the wealth of the Thulamela culture.
In the 19th century, the area became the meeting point of three colonies, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. It became known as ‘Crooks Corner’; too remote to police, it became a refuge for outlaws.
The Pafuri sector contains three-quarters of the wildlife and flora found in Kruger, and incredibly prolific birdlife. The large resident herds of buffalo and elephant concentrate around the permanent waters of the Livuvhu River in the dry season. A large population of hippos and crocodiles are found in the Livivhu near Crooks Corner. Lion and leopard hunt the strong nyala and impala populations, and you may see eland and grysbok, which you rarely find further south. Giraffe and white rhino are among the species that have been relocated to the area.
Nearly 400 species have been recorded at Pafuri Camp; some are found nowhere else in South Africa. You can find Böhm's and Mottled Spinetails, Racket-Tailed Roller, Three-Banded Courser, and Southern hyliota. Other specials include Black-throated Wattle-eye, Pel's Fishing Owl, and Tropical Boubou.
Pafuri Camp has 20 spacious tented rooms, including six two-bedroom family rooms, set on the northern bank of the Luvuvhu River. Shaded by huge Ebony and Nyala Berry trees, the East African style safari tents are set on timber platforms two metres off the ground and joined by elevated walkways, so the animals can roam freely. Each room has en suite facilities including both indoor and outdoor showers. Seven of the rooms are on one side of the central area, ‘Pafuri East’, and 13 on the other.
In the main area, the lounge and dining areas enjoy the river view. The bar area is shaded by Ebony trees. You can watch the animals passing to and from the river from the main deck or watch the sunrise from the lower deck. There is a large swimming pool in the main area. Pafuri East has its own plunge pool, deck and boma.
Guests dine under a canopy of majestic ebony trees and can cool off in the large swimming pool. Activities include walking safaris, game drives in open 4WD vehicles, night drives, birding walks, specialist safaris on the history, palaeontology and archaeology of the area, and even, guided mountain biking.
Hunting and poaching had seriously reduced the number of species in this area and one of the first moves was the training 20 members of the Makuleke community to form an anti-poaching unit. Populations of species including white rhino, giraffe and wildebeest were then moved from other parts of Kruger. The Makuleke Large Mammal Reintroduction Project is monitoring progress.
The Makuleke chose Wilderness Safaris to help them to operate and market their tourist facility because of its excellent record for sensitive ecotourism and community partnerships. The Makuleke receive a concession fee based on turnover, and also benefit from job creation, training, skills transfer and community development projects.
Children aged 3 and over are welcome at Pafuri. The camp has a wealth of activities for children, recreational, educational and experiential. If you would like to know more, just ask.
You can drive to Pafuri. The journey takes about 6½ hours from Johannesburg Airport or about 1½ hours from Punda Maria Camp. You can drive to Pafuri Camp, but you are not permitted to drive your vehicle within the concession.
SAAirlink flies to Phalaborwa Airport where you can connect with the light aircraft flight to Parfuri reserve.
From £140 to Dec 08, including dinner, breakfast and park fees
From £180 to Dec 08, including all meals, activities [inc two game drives and game walk] and park fee
Children sharing with adults pay £29
The Top 10: Exclusive Safaris, The Independent, 21/01/07
Discovering the rainbow, Sarah Foster, The Lady, 19/07/05
Wildly exciting, Dorset Echo: Magazine, 18/06/05
Prices are subject to currency fluctuation.